3 beachgoers drown in Bataan during ‘Undas’ break

Reports showed that strong water current pulled Manlangit, who was swimming at a beach resort in Barangay Saysain Thursday morning. Local authorities said they have not found his body yet. (File Photo: John Tewell/Flickr, CC BY-NC 2.0)

BAGAC, Bataan — Police on Sunday reported that three persons drowned while bathing in beaches along three coastal villages of this town in three consecutive days starting All Saints’ Day.

The victims were identified as Jason Manlangit, 26, vendor, of Baclaran, Parañaque City; Mathew Plaza, 19, of Mariveles, Bataan; and Michael Palalimpa, 19, Malabon City resident.

Reports showed that strong water current pulled Manlangit, who was swimming at a beach resort in Barangay Saysain Thursday morning. Local authorities said they have not found his body yet.

Plaza was among the factory workers enjoying the waters in an open beach in Barangay Paysawan Friday morning, when sucked by a strong current. His body was located Saturday morning several meters away from the spot where he disappeared.

Palalimpa was in a family outing Saturday morning in a beach resort in Barangay Pag-asa, when he was reportedly engulfed by strong waves. His lifeless body was found a few hours on the same day.

Randy Padernal, a “Bantay Dagat” diver from Saysain, said their search for drowning victims was hampered by the condition of the sea.

“The water at the bottom of the sea is not clear and at the same time, the waves are strong,” he said.

Barangay Saysain councilman Allan Baciles said the common cause of drowning in the area was strong water current and waves.

He said there were still strong waves Thursday because tropical cyclone “Rosita” had just left.

“My advice to the visitors is to take extra caution and not to go to the deep part of the sea,” Baciles said.

Conducting search and rescue were members of the Philippine Coast Guard, barangay and municipal police, Bantay Dagat, lifeguards of beach resorts, Municipal Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office, and local fishermen.